Indoor Play Structures....For Infants/Toddlers

[frugalmama4]

Hello, Happy Mardi Gras

Question? What type of indoor play structure do you have for your younger tot's. My ages are spread across the broad 9mo-5yr. Trying to separate them has much as I can;the toddlers love to try and due what the big kids do but just end up hurt .

Trying to see what I can get for them, while I'm working with the bigger kids on abc/123 and such. Thanks for any advice!

[youretooloud]

I have an indoor climber, plus other small non climber structures that they can climb on. I let all the kids do whatever their ability level allows them. So, that might mean I have a 14 month old climbing on the side ladders of the climbers.

It gets super, incredibly frustrating when the big kids are trying to work on something at the table, and the toddlers go over there EVERY time and tear it up... or walk off with a marker. It's a full time job just keeping the little kids out of the big kid's projects.

[Heidi]

How many toddlers vs. big ones do you have?

I used to have a nice little slide/climber thingie from Community Playthings for toddlers, but then I only had toddlers. It would be abused by older children, I think.

How about putting the toddlers in their seats (high chair or whatever you use) with a piece of heavy paper (cut up cereal boxes work great) and a fat crayon while the others do their "work"? They will feel like they are part of the action then???

Mine usually end up throwing them on the floor after a few minutes, but I've learned not to let that bother me. I don't give them back, though. They just sit and watch, or go in a playpen nearby with a few toys.

[Blackcat31]

I have a small Little Tikes climbing cube. It is for my 2 and under crowd only.

Like the babies themselves, my bigger kids know they are to NEVER touch it.

[frugalmama4]

How many toddlers vs. big ones do you have?

I used to have a nice little slide/climber thingie from Community Playthings for toddlers, but then I only had toddlers. It would be abused by older children, I think.

How about putting the toddlers in their seats (high chair or whatever you use) with a piece of heavy paper (cut up cereal boxes work great) and a fat crayon while the others do their "work"? They will feel like they are part of the action then???

Mine usually end up throwing them on the floor after a few minutes, but I've learned not to let that bother me. I don't give them back, though. They just sit and watch, or go in a playpen nearby with a few toys.

Thx for the feed back, I have 3 toddlers and 3 big kids. My tot's still like to put everything in their mouth , so giving the paper won't work. But I do have several of the little hand magic writers (the ones you would use when traveling) so maybe I will give that a try. Thx

[Heidi]

Thx for the feed back, I have 3 toddlers and 3 big kids. My tot's still like to put everything in their mouth , so giving the paper won't work. But I do have several of the little hand magic writers (the ones you would use when traveling) so maybe I will give that a try. Thx

try cutting up some cereal boxes, and let them color on them. They can't crumple the paper and eat it. A taste of a crayon won't really hurt them, either, although I do say "not to eat" when mine try it...